Bottle with flexible loop handle

ABSTRACT

A bottle has bottom wall and a wall extending from the bottom wall defining an interior space. A flexible strap is movable between a first position and a second position. When the strap is in the first position the strap is positioned adjacent the wall of the bottle over substantially the entire length of the strap and when the strap is in the second position a loop is formed by the strap that extends away from the bottle.

BACKGROUND

Vessels such as water bottles typically comprise a bottle dimensioned to be carried by a user for personal use. The bottle may be closed by a removable cap such that the bottle may be refilled, and reused, fn some bottles a rigid handle may be provided to facilitate use of the bottle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In some embodiments a bottle comprises a bottle having a bottom and a wall extending from the bottom defining an interior space. A strap has a first end movable relative to the bottle between a first position and a second position. When the first end is in the first position the strap is positioned adjacent the wall of the bottle over substantially the entire length of the strap and when the first end is in the second position a loop is formed by the strap that extends away from the bottle.

An opening may communicate with the interior space. The strap may be flexible. The strap may comprise one of silicone, TPE, nylon, woven fabric and unwoven fabric. The strap may comprise a relatively long, thin flexible member. A second end of the strap may be fixed to the bottle. A ring at the second end of the strap may be configured to fit over a neck of the bottle. The ring may be positioned in a groove formed in the neck. The first end of the strap may be inserted through a restraining member that allows the first end of the strap to move relative to the bottle. The restraining member may extend from the wall and creates a passage that receives the strap. The first end of the strap may be formed with an enlarged stop that engages the restraining member. The stop may be formed integrally with the strap as a protrusion that extends from the strap. The stop may be formed integrally with the strap out of a molded elastomer. A removable cap may close the opening. A second end of the strap may be fixed to the cap. A ring at the second end of the strap may be configured to fit into a groove formed m the bottle. The ring may be made of a harder material than the strap. The ring may be connected to the strap by a connector. The ring may be insert molded to the strap.

In some embodiments a bottle comprises a bottle having a bottom wall and a wall extending from the bottom wall defining an interior space. A flexible strap is movable between a first position and a second position. When the strap is in the first position the strap is positioned adjacent the wall of the bottle over substantially the entire length of the strap and when the strap is in the second position a loop is formed by the strap that extends away from the bottle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of an embodiment of the bottle of the invention in a first position.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the bottle of FIG. 1 in a second position.

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the bottle of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of the bottle of FIG. 1 with the cap removed.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of an embodiment of the strap of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the bottle of the invention with the cap removed.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of another embodiment of the strap of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a plan, view of still another embodiment of the strap of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a side view of yet another embodiment of the strap of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a side view of still another embodiment of the strap of the invention.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the bottle of FIG. 6 is a first position.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the bottle of FIG. 6 with the cap hanging from the strap.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the bottle of FIG. 6 is a second position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which different embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that, this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will folly convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc, may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited, by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a first, element, without departing from the scope of the present invention. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more-of the associated listed items.

Relative terms such as “below” or “above” or “upper” or “lower” or “horizontal” or “vertical” or “top” or “bottom” may be used herein to describe a relationship of one element to another element as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that these terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4 and 6 and 11-13 an embodiments of the bottle of the invention are shown comprising a bottle 1 configured to retain, and dispense a fluid such as water, sports drink or other potable liquid. The bottle 1 may have a relatively flat bottom wall 2 to support the bottle in an upright position when placed on a flat surface. A wall 3 extends from the bottom wall to define a container, vessel, bottle or the like (hereinafter “bottle”). The wall 3 may comprise a side wall 4 that extends, from the bottom wall 2 that terminates in a top wall 6. In the illustrated embodiment the side wall 4 is generally cylindrical in shape; however, the bottom wall 2, the side wall 4 and the top wall 6 may define a bottle having a wide variety of shapes including rectilinear. In a rectilinear bottle the side wall may comprise a plurality of flat sides joined at corners. Moreover, the wall 3 may be provided with a variety of shapes, curves, facets or the like to provide ornamentation, brand identification or the like.

The side wall 4 together with the top wall 6 and bottom wall 2 define the interior space 8 of the bottle 1. The bottle 1 may be made in a variety of sizes such that the interior space 8 may be designed to retain a variety of liquid volumes. In some embodiments the bottle 1 may be dimensioned such that a typical user may grasp the side wall 4 in one hand such that the bottle may be manipulated for drinking and refilling. In some embodiments the bottle 1 may be made of multiple components such as a bottom portion 1 a and top portion 1 b to facilitate molding of the bottle 1 where the portions are permanently joined together to complete the bottle 1. In some embodiments the bottle may have an insulated construction such that the bottle may for example, have an insulated double wall construction. The bottle 1 may be made of any suitable material including plastics such as high density polyethylene (HDPE), low density polyethylene (LDPE), copolyester, polypropylene or the like, or metal such as aluminum, stainless steel or the like, or glass, or other suitable materials or combinations of materials.

An access opening 10 is provided into the interior space 8 of the bottle 1 to allow the bottle to be filled and refilled with liquid and for liquid to be dispensed from the bottle. In one embodiment the access opening 10 is formed in the top wall 6 of the bottle although the access opening may be provided in the side wall 4. The access opening 10 may comprise a neck 12 that extends from the top wall 6 and that defines a passage 14 from the exterior of the bottle to the interior space 8. The neck 12 may comprise a generally cylindrical tube having a distal end 12 a that defines the opening, in one embodiment the neck comprises screw threads 16 that threadably engage mating screw threads on a cap 18 such that the cap may be releasably secured over the opening 10 to close the opening and create a liquid tight seal as shown in FIGS. 1-4. The cap 18 may also be secured to the neck 12 using a plug 116 that forms a friction or snap fit where the opening 10 where bottle 1 and/or cap 18 may be resiliently deformed such that a sealing structure on the cap engages a mating sealing structure on the bottle to create a liquid tight seal, as shown in FIG. 6. Other liquid tight releasable connection mechanisms may be used to secure the cap 18 to the bottle 1. In some embodiments the cap 18 may include a valve such as a sports valve, bite valve or the like to allow fluid to be dispensed from the bottle via the valve without removing the cap 18.

In order to facilitate the carrying of the bottle a handle 20 is provided that allows a user to grasp the handle 20 with the fingers of a hand or to hang the bottle by the handle. The handle 20 is configured such that the handle may be extended away from the bottle such that it forms a loop 21 that may be grasped by a user (FIG. 2) but where the handle 20 may be retracted such that it does not protrude significantly beyond the profile of the bottle 1 when not in use (FIG. 2). As a result when not in use the handle 20 is less likely to hit, interfere with or catch on things during use of the bottle. The bottle also occupies a smaller volume for shipping and on retail shelves.

The handle 20 comprises a flexible strap 22 that is mounted such that the strap may occupy a first storage position where the strap 22 is positioned against or closely adjacent to the bottle 1 (FIG. 1) and a second use position where the strap 22 is extended away from the bottle such that a loop 21 is created such that a finger or other object may be inserted through the loop (FIG. 2). One embodiment of the strap 22 is illustrated in. FIGS. 1-5, 6 and 11-13 where the strap 22 comprises a relatively flexible material such as silicone, TPE, nylon, woven or unwoven fabric or the like. The strap 32 may also be made of braided textiles or braided steel as shown in FIG. 9. A first end 26 of the strap 22 is movable relative to the bottle 1 such that the loop 21 may be formed by the strap 22 and a second end 24 of the strap 22 is fixed to the bottle 1. The strap 22 comprises a relatively long, thin flexible member that lays fiat against the side wall 4 of the bottle 1 when in the retracted position of FIG. 1 such that the strap extends from the profile of the bottle 1 a minimum distance. The strap 22 may be made of a flexible material that has enough stiffness that the strap remains positioned adjacent the side wall of the bottle when the strap is retracted to the storage position of FIG. 1 and maintains the loop 21 when in the extended position of FIG. 2.

In one embodiment a ring 28 is formed at the second end 24 of the strap 22. The ring 28 is dimensioned such that it can fit over the neck 12 of the bottle 1 to retain, the second end 24 of the strap 22 in a fixed position relative to the bottle 1. The neck 12 of the bottle may be formed with spaced flanges 30 that form a groove 32 for receiving the ring 28 such that the ring is secured to the bottle. The strap and/or bottle may be made of a pliable material such that the components may be deformed to fit the ring over the neck 12. In other embodiments the second end 24 of the strap 22 may be connected to the bottle 1 using a mechanical connector, adhesive or the like. For example, an eyelet may be molded into the bottle adjacent the neck 12 that is secured to the second end of the strap.

The first end 26 of the strap 22 is inserted through a restraining member 34 that allows the first, end 26 of the strap 22 to move relative to the bottle from the first position of FIG. 1 to the second position of FIG. 2 such that the loop 21 may be formed. The restraining member 34 holds the first end 26 of the strap 22 in place in the second position. In one embodiment the restraining member 34 extends from the side wall 4 of the bottle 1 and creates a passage 36 that receives the strap 22. The passage 36 is configured and dimensioned to allow the strap 22 to freely move through the restraining member 34. The first end 26 of the strap 22 is formed with an enlarged stop 38 that is dimensioned and shaped such that the stop 38 cannot pass through, the restraining member 34 when the strap is extended. In this manner the strap 22 is movable relative to the restraining member 34 such that the strap 22 may be extended to create the loop 21 and retracted to eliminate the loop. In the illustrated embodiment the restraining member 34 is formed integrally with the bottle 1 such as by molding the bottle with the restraining member 34 out of plastic as a single one-piece member. The retraining member 34 comprises a C-shaped or U-shaped member 40 where the legs of the member are secured to the bottle such that the member 40 and side wall 4 of the bottle cooperate to create the passage 36. The member 40 may have a wide variety of shapes and configurations provided that the strap may move through the restraining member 34. The restraining member 34 may also comprise a separate member attached to the bottle. For example, the restraining member 34 may comprise a separate metal or plastic O-ring, D-ring or the like that is attached to the side-wall of the bottle by a clip, adhesive or other mechanism.

In one embodiment the strap 22 comprises a flexible member made of a molded, resilient, pliable material such as silicone, TPE, nylon or other material where the end stop 38 is formed integrally with the strap 22 as a protrusion that extends from the strap. The strap 22 may also comprise a woven or non-woven fabric, cord, cable or the like where the stop 38 may be formed as a knot 39 tied at the end of the strap as shown in FIG. 9. In some embodiments the stop 38 may be a separate member such as a collar 43 attached to the second end 26 of the strap as shown in FIG. 10

In the illustrated embodiment the strap 22 and stop 38 are made of a deformable material such as an elastomer such that the strap may be inserted into the passage 36 front a first direction (arrow A) but cannot be easily removed from the passage 36 in the second direction (Arrow B). To facilitate assembly of the strap 22 to the bottle X, in one embodiment, the stop has an inclined face 44 that may be inserted into the passage 36 in the first direction A as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in other embodiments the stop 38 may have a more planar construction as shown in FIGS. 6 and 11-13. The strap 22 and stop 38 may be deformed such that the stop 38 may be forced through the passage 36. The opposite face 42 of the stop 38 that faces the restraining member 34 is formed at a generally right angle to the strap 22 that abuts the restraining member 34 and prevents the strap 22 from, being pulled completely through the passage 36 when the strap is extended. The material and dimensions of the strap 22 and stop 38 are selected such that the stop 38 cannot be easily pulled completely through the retraining member during use of the bottle. In embodiments where the stop 38 is a separate member from the strap 22, the stop 38 may be attached to the: strap 22 after the strap 22 is inserted through the restraining member 34. In some embodiments the restraining member 34 may be slightly deformable to facilitate passage of the stop 38 through the passage during assembly of the strap to the bottle. In other embodiments the restraining member may be movable such that it can assume an open position for receiving the strap and a closed position for restraining the strap.

The strap 22 is arranged such that in the retracted position when no loop 21 is formed, the strap 22 extends toward the bottom of the bottle 1. The strap 22 hangs by gravity such that the strap 22 is disposed against or closely adjacent to the top wall 6 and/or side wall 4 of the bottle over substantially the entire length of the strap. The strap may be disposed closely adjacent to the top wall 6 and the side wall 4 or only adjacent the side wall 4 depending upon the location of the second end 24 of the strap relative to the side wall and top wall and the shape of the bottle. In this manner when the strap is not being used, as a handle the profile of the bottle Is very close to the profile of the bottle without the strap such that a rigid handle does not project from the bottle or the cap.

In the embodiment of the bottle of the invention shown in FIGS. 6 and 11-13 the strap 22 is attached to the cap 18 rather than to the bottle 1. By attaching the strap 22 to the cap 18 rather than to the bottle 1 the strap 2,2 may serve a dual function of a tether for retaining the cap 18 with the bottle 1 when the cap is removed from the bottle (see FIG. 13) as well as functioning as a handle 20 as previously described. The second end 24 of the strap may be attached to the cap 18 using the ring 28 in the same manner that the second end 24 of the strap 22 is attached to the neck 12 of the bottle as previously described. The cap 18 may comprise a pair of annular flanges 130 that define a recess 132 therebetween for receiving the ring 28. In some embodiments it may be desirable that the connection of the strap 22 to the cap is does not interfere with the rotation of the cap 18 relative to the bottle 1. In one embodiment, the ring formed at the second end of the strap 22 may be configured to allow the cap is to rotate relative to the ring. For example, a ring 28 may be retained between a pair of flanges 130 as previously described, such that the cap 18 may rotate relative to the ring but the ring is otherwise constrained between the flanges. In this arrangement the ring 28 may relatively loosely encircle the cap 18. In some embodiments the strap 22 may be made of a flexible material such as an elastomeric material where the friction between the ring 28 and the cap 18 may prevent easy rotation of the cap relative to the strap. In such an embodiment the second end 24 of the flexible strap 22 may be connected to a more rigid lower coefficient of friction material that forms the ring 128 as shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 11-13. The ring 128 may be made of, for example, a hard plastic ring that fits in the recess 32 on the cap 11. The second end 24 of the strap 22 may be connected to the rigid ring 128 by a suitable connector such as an O-ring 134 formed as part of the ring 128, separate O-ring or the like. In some embodiments, a hard ring 136 may be insert molded as part of the molded plastic strap 22 such that a hard bearing surface is formed integrally with the softer more pliant material of the strap as shown in FIG. 8.

In use the handle may be stored as shown in FIG. 1 where the strap extends down the side wall of the bottle such that the strap extends close to or abuts the wall of the container. The strap may extend along the longitudinal, vertical axis of the bottle such that the strap is suspended, vertically. In some embodiments the strap is made of elastomer or other material that, while flexible, has some structural stiffness such that the strap is maintained in the illustrated position during use and storage of the bottle. To create the loop 21, the strap is gripped in the area between the second end 24 and the restraining member 34 and is pulled such that the first end 26 of the strap 22 moves toward the restraining member. As the strap is moved the strap bends to form the loop 21. The strap 22 is pulled until the stop 38 abuts the restraining member 34 and movement of the first end 26 is stopped. Where the strap 22 is made of a material having some structural rigidity the strap may maintain the loop when released. The strap 22 may be moved back to the storage position by pulling the first end 26 of the strap 22 and/or by pushing the loop.

Although specific embodiments have been shown and described herein, those of ordinary skill in the art appreciate that any arrangement, which is calculated to achieve the same purpose, may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown and that the invention has other applications in other environments. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the present invention. The following claims are in no way intended to limit the scope of the invention to the specific embodiments described herein. 

1. A bottle comprising: a bottle having a bottom and a wall extending from the bottom defining an interior space; a strap having at least a first end movable relative to the bottle between a first position and a second position such that when the first end is in the first position the strap is positioned adjacent the wall of the bottle over substantially the entire length of the strap and when the first end is in the second position a loop is formed by the strap that extends away from the bottle.
 2. The bottle of claim 1 further comprising an opening communicating with the interior space.
 3. The bottle of claim 1 wherein the strap is flexible.
 4. The bottle of claim 1 wherein the strap comprises one of silicone, TPE, nylon, woven, fabric and unwoven fabric.
 5. The bottle of claim 1 wherein the strap comprises a relatively long, thin flexible member.
 6. The bottle of claim 1 wherein a second end of the strap is fixed to the bottle.
 7. The bottle of claim 1 comprising a ring at the second end of the strap, the ring being configured to fit over a neck of the bottle.
 8. The bottle of claim 7 wherein the ring is positioned in a groove formed in the neck.
 9. The bottle of claim 1 wherein the first end of the strap is inserted through a restraining member that allows the first end of the strap to move relative to the bottle.
 10. The bottle of claim 9 wherein the restraining member extends from the wall and creates a passage that receives the strap.
 11. The bottle of claim 9 wherein the first end of the strap is formed with an enlarged stop that engages the restraining member.
 12. The bottle of claim 11 wherein the stop is formed integrally with the strap as a protrusion that extends from the strap.
 13. The bottle of claim 11 wherein the stop is formed integrally with the strap out of a molded elastomer.
 14. The bottle of claim 2 further comprising a removable cap for closing the opening.
 15. The bottle of claim 14 wherein a second end of the strap is fixed to the cap.
 16. The bottle of claim 15 comprising a ring at the second end of the strap, the ring being configured to fit into a groove formed in the bottle.
 17. The bottle of claim 16 wherein the ring is made of a harder material than the strap.
 18. The bottle of claim 17 wherein the ring is connected to the strap by a connector.
 19. The bottle of claim 17 wherein the ring is insert molded to the strap.
 20. A bottle comprising: a bottle having a bottom wall and a wall extending from the bottom wall defining an interior space; a flexible strap movable between a first position and a second position such that when the strap is in the first position the strap is positioned adjacent the wall of the bottle over substantially the entire length of the strap and when the strap is in the second position a loop is formed by the strap that extends away from the bottle. 